Comox home invasion leads to arrest of two men

Two men are in custody and facing several charges after a home invasion in Comox earlier this month.

Just after midnight on Feb. 2, the Comox Valley RCMP responded to a home invasion on Pritchard Road in Comox. Two men were reported to have forced their way into a home and threatened the occupants while brandishing a machete.

The men allegedly stole many items from the home along with truck keys before leaving in a truck owned by one of the victims.

Moments later, the Comox Valley RCMP located the stolen truck crossing the 17th Street Bridge in Courtenay. As RCMP were stopping the truck, the driver abruptly reversed, side-swiping a

police vehicle and nearly hitting an officer.

Both occupants ran from the truck, the driver being arrested a short distance away. Follow up investigation led to the arrest of the passenger a few days later by the Oceanside RCMP in the Parksville area.

"We were fortunate in this incident to have no serious injuries. All involved were known to the police and this is a rare occurrence for our community. That being said, we will continue to work as a team to ensure the Comox Valley is a safe community," said Insp. Blair McDonald, officer in charge of the Comox Valley RCMP detachment.

Dartanyon Joseph Fitzgerald and Christopher James Jack Meneely are both facing numerous charges including uttering threats, break and enter, robbery, possession of a weapon, theft of automobile and possession of stolen property.